Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
The 33-year-old, who has made 314 appearances for the club since signing from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2012, had been out of contract at the end of the season.
He was recently linked with a move to MLS side Chicago Fire but, with the Blues almost certainly heading to League One, the central defender has signed up for two more years to ensure he is a key part of manager Paul Lambert’s rebuilding effort.
His new deal expires in the summer of 2021, at which point he would be 35.
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Speaking recently, Chambers insisted he is hurting at the club’s current plight and that he wanted to be the man to lead Ipswich back into the second tier should the worst happen and they drop into League One.
“Obviously I’m delighted to be a part of the club’s future for another two years,” said Chambers.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that as long as I can play, I want to be here - and maybe beyond that as well.
“I have spoken to Marcus (Evans, owner) regularly over the last month or so and the manager has shown his support for me and it’s good to get things sorted, for my family as well.
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“I’m 33 but to me that is just a number. I feel as fit as I have ever done. I want to play every game here over the next two years. I want to play beyond that.
“I’ve got close on 700 appearances in my career and I want to get to 800 and more. Nothing will drive me on more than to play my part in making a success of this team over the next two years.
“I’m proud to play for this club. I’m proud to be skipper. The club has been a massive part of my career and I want to leave here and people can look back and say ‘yeah, he was a good guy to have here’.”
Ipswich boss Paul Lambert has consistently stated his desire to keep Chambers at the club, insisting the skipper and midfielder Cole Skuse have vital roles to play as the club is rebuilt around its young talent.
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“You have to have that experience around the club,” Lambert said.
“I can’t think of two more lads who I’d want around the place to help the youngsters. They’re great role models. You need that calming head and influence.
“Whether the lads start games, are on the bench or just around the place, it’s a paramount.
“Young lads may think they know everything that’s going on but you tend to find that there’s a little more to it that just playing football sometimes. You have to live right and do the right things and keep your feet on the ground.
“Those lads have had unbelievable careers and that’s why I say there are no better role models to look at.”
IPSWICH TOWN CONTRACT SITUATION
IN LAST YEAR (WITHOUT EXTENSION OPTION)
Knudsen, McKendry, Collins
IN LAST YEAR (WITH EXTENSION OPTION)
Gerken, Ward, Adeyemi, Spence, Kenlock, Emmanuel, C.Smith, Webber, Judge, Dawkins
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2020
Skuse, Edwards, Harrison, Roberts, Dozzell, Downes, Rowe, Sears, Clements, McGavin, Dobra
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2021
Chambers, Bialkowski, Nsiala, Nolan, Jackson, Huws, Folami, Cotter, Nydam, Drinan, Morris, Wright, Donacien, El Mizouni, Bishop, K Brown
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2022
Lankester, Woolfenden, Ndaba
LOANS FOR SEASON
Pennington, Chalobah, Elder, Keane, Quaner, Bree
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